OPENING OF SNOW CRAB FISHERY - PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

CHARLOTTETOWN - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced today the opening of the 1996 snow crab fishery in Crab Fishing Areas (CFAs) 25 and 26 of Prince Edward Island. The fishery will open at 06:00 hours on May 3, 1996. The Department announced on April 19, that 600 metric tonnes of snow crab within the 750 tonne quota in Areas 25 & 26 had been allocated to the 30 licensed P.E.I. fishermen. The manner in which the remaining 150 tonnes will be shared among non-license holders continues to be discussed among fishers' associations and with aboriginal communities.

FOR INFORMATION :

H.H. (Hank) Scarth
Area Manager
Fisheries and Oceans
Maritimes Region
Gulf Fisheries
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
(902) 566-7810

André-Marc Lanteigne
Communications
Fisheries and Oceans
Maritimes Region
Gulf Fisheries
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-7757